JP2002197048A - Electronic equipment and interface conversion method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment which can connect external devices, equipped with a specific interface that is possibly connected directly to host equipment, to the host equipment by relaying by itself. SOLUTION: Storing the data sent from the host equipment through a USB cable 4 in a specific receiving buffer, a receiver 2 reads the stored data from the receiving buffer. When the read data are data for a CD player 3, the data are converted into data addressed to the CD player 3 and the converted data are written to a prescribed transmission buffer. Then the receiver 2 converts the data stored in the transmission buffer into data meeting the RS-232C standards and sends them to the CD player 3 through an RS-232C cable 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic device and an interface conversion method capable of connecting to an external device having a specific interface which can be directly connected to a host device and connecting to the host device by itself.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices such as printers and modems connected to a host device such as a personal computer have been known. Such an electronic device includes, for example, an interface such as RS-232C or Centronics, is connected to a host device via a predetermined cable, and operates according to control from the host device. Recently, USB (Universal Serial Bus) and the like have attracted attention as interface standards adopted for host devices. The USB is supported by a general OS (Operating System) installed in the host device, and can be connected while the power of the electronic device is turned on, or used for using the electronic device. It features plug-and-play that can automatically set up.

At present, users are using RS-232C
There are many opportunities to use a mixture of electronic devices having a conventional interface such as USB and electronic devices having a modern interface such as USB. FIG. 6 shows an example of an audio system in which electronic devices of different interfaces are used. As shown
The audio system includes a host device 100, a receiver 200, and a CD player 300. The receiver 200 is connected to the host device 100 via a USB cable 400. The CD player 300 is connected to the host device 100 via the RS-232C cable 500. Further, the receiver 20
0 and the CD player 300 are connected via a predetermined system cable 600.

The host device 100 is composed of a personal computer or the like having a USB interface and an RS-232C interface, controls the receiver 200 via a USB cable 400, and controls the CD player 300 via an RS-232C cable 500. Control.

[0005] The receiver 200 includes an audio amplifier and the like, and is controlled by the host device 100. For example,
The receiver 200 generates a music sound according to the audio data transmitted from the host device 100 via the USB cable 400, and outputs the generated music sound via a speaker (not shown). CD (Compact Disc) Player 3
00 reproduces, for example, a CD in accordance with control data and the like transmitted from the host device 100 via the RS-232C cable 500.

[0006] Such an audio system allows the receiver 200 and the CD player 300 to execute a complicated reproduction operation or the like by operating only the host device 100 by the user.

[0007]

However, the conventional audio system as shown in FIG. 6 uses three types of cables, a USB cable 400, an RS-232C cable 500, and a system cable 600, so that the cable connection is complicated. In addition to this, there is a problem that the appearance is not good. Further, since the receiver 200 and the CD player 300 are connected around the host device 100 using the above three types of cables, there is also a problem that the degree of freedom of the user is low when actually laying out (arranging). there were. Particularly, for the RS-232C cable 500 and the system cable 600, it is difficult to use a commercially available cable or the like due to restrictions on the connector shape and the like, and it is often difficult to extend the length. In addition, since hot plug-in and the like are not applied in the RS-232C interface, when the user starts the host device 100 and connects the CD player 300 to the host device 100 to operate normally. Then, the power of the host device 100 needs to be turned on again.

Under these circumstances, the host device 10
0 and the CD player 300 (data communication, etc.)
If relaying can be performed by the receiver 200, it is expected that the cable connection will be simplified and the appearance will be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has an electronic device capable of connecting itself to a host device by relaying an external device having a specific interface that can be directly connected to the host device. And an interface conversion method.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a first apparatus for transmitting and receiving predetermined data to and from a host apparatus connected via a first interface. Communication means, second communication means for transmitting and receiving predetermined data to and from an external device connected via a second interface, and interface conversion of the data received by the first communication means to the second communication means. The data is supplied to the communication means as transmission data, and the data received by the second communication means is interface-converted to the first data.
Interface conversion means for supplying the communication means as transmission data to the communication means.

According to the present invention, the first communication means is a first interface (for example, a USB interface)
And transmits / receives predetermined data to / from a host device connected thereto. The second communication unit transmits and receives predetermined data to and from an external device connected via a second interface (for example, an RS-232C interface). The interface conversion means converts the data received by the first communication means into an interface and supplies the data to the second communication means as transmission data, and converts the data received by the second communication means into the first data. It is supplied to the communication means as transmission data. As a result, an external device having a specific interface that can be directly connected to the host device can be relayed by itself and connected to the host device.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a USB device for transmitting and receiving predetermined data to and from a host device connected via a USB interface.
B communication means, serial communication means for transmitting and receiving predetermined data to and from at least one external device connected via an RS-232C interface, and interface conversion of the data received by the USB communication means to the serial communication means. The data is supplied as transmission data to a target external device, and the serial communication means converts the data from the external device received by the interface into the USB.
Interface conversion means for supplying to the communication means as transmission data.

According to the present invention, the USB communication means includes the U
It transmits and receives predetermined data to and from a host device connected via the SB interface. The serial communication means is RS-
It transmits and receives predetermined data to and from at least one external device connected via the 232C interface. The interface conversion means converts the data received by the USB communication means into an interface and supplies the data to the serial communication means as transmission data for the target external device, and converts the data received from the external device by the serial communication means into an interface. Then, the data is supplied to the USB communication means as transmission data. As a result, an external device having a specific interface that can be directly connected to the host device can be relayed by itself and connected to the host device.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to a third aspect of the present invention converts data sent from a host device connected via a first interface into data for a second interface. And convert the converted data
The data transmitted to the external device connected via the second interface and the data transmitted from the external device via the second interface are converted into data for the first interface. The data is transmitted to the host device via the first interface.

According to the present invention, data transmitted from a host device connected via a first interface (for example, a USB interface) is converted into data for a second interface (for example, an RS-232C interface). And transmitting the converted data to an external device connected via the second interface,
Data transmitted from the external device via the second interface is converted into data for the first interface, and the converted data is transmitted to the host device via the first interface. As a result, an external device having a specific interface that can be directly connected to the host device can be relayed by itself and connected to the host device.

In order to achieve the above object, an interface conversion method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises a first communication step of transmitting / receiving predetermined data to / from a host device connected via a first interface. A second communication step of transmitting and receiving predetermined data to and from an external device connected via a second interface; and transmitting data received in the first communication step to transmission data in the second communication step. And converts the data received in the second communication step to the first
An interface conversion step of performing an interface conversion to transmission data in the communication step.

According to the present invention, in the first communication step, predetermined data is transmitted / received to / from a host device connected via a first interface (for example, a USB interface). In the second communication step, predetermined data is transmitted / received to / from an external device connected via a second interface (for example, an RS-232C interface). The interface conversion step converts the data received in the first communication step into data for transmission in the second communication step, and converts the data received in the second communication step in the first communication step. Interface conversion to transmission data. As a result, an external device having a specific interface that can be directly connected to the host device can be relayed by itself and connected to the host device.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS US according to an embodiment of the present invention
An electronic device having a B (Universal Serial Bus) interface will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking an audio device (receiver) as an example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an audio system including a receiver applied to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the audio system includes a host device 1, a receiver 2, and a CD player 3. The receiver 2 and the host device 1 are connected via a USB cable 4, and the receiver 2 and the CD player 3 are connected via an RS-232C cable 5.

The host device 1 is composed of a predetermined personal computer or the like, and has an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse,
It is configured to include a USB interface and the like in addition to a display unit such as a display. The host device 1 transmits and receives communication data to and from the receiver 2 via the USB cable 4.
The host device 1 relays communication data with the CD player 3 via the receiver 2.

The receiver 2 comprises, for example, an audio amplifier or the like, and has a USB interface and an RS-232C
It has an interface. Specifically, the receiver 2
As shown in FIG. 2, it is configured to include a USB microcomputer 21, an SIO microcomputer 22, and a control microcomputer 23.

The USB microcomputer 21 has a CPU (Central
Processing Unit), ROM (ReadOnly Memory) and R
It is configured to include an AM (Random Access Memory) and performs data communication with the host device 1 in accordance with the USB standard. Further, the USB microcomputer 21 has a reception buffer 21a of a predetermined capacity and a transmission buffer 21b in its own RAM. The host device 1 is stored in the reception buffer 21a.
The data sent from is stored sequentially. In the transmission buffer 21b, data to be transmitted to the host device 1 is stored.
The data is sequentially stored by the control microcomputer 23 or the like.

The SIO (Serial Input / Output) microcomputer 22 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and performs data communication with the CD player 3 in accordance with the RS-232C standard. The SIO microcomputer 22 has a reception buffer 22a of a predetermined capacity and a transmission buffer 22b in its own RAM. The data sent from the CD player 3 is sequentially stored in the reception buffer 22a. In the transmission buffer 22b, data to be sent to the CD player 3 is sequentially stored by the control microcomputer 23.

The control microcomputer 23 has a CPU, R
USB microcomputer 2 which is configured to include OM and RAM
1 and the SIO microcomputer 22 respectively. Specifically, the control microcomputer 23 transmits the data transmitted from the host device 1 by the USB microcomputer 21 to the reception buffer 2.
When stored in 1a, the stored data is read from the reception buffer 21a. And the read data is CD
If the data is for the player 3, the data is stored on a CD.
The data is converted into data for the player 3, and the converted data is written to the transmission buffer 22 b of the SIO microcomputer 22. After that, the SIO microcomputer 22 sets the transmission buffer 2
2b is converted to data conforming to the RS-232C standard and converted to a CD via the RS-232C cable 5.
Send it to player 3.

The control microcomputer 23 is provided with an SI
When the data sent from the CD player 3 by the O microcomputer 22 is stored in the reception buffer 22a, the stored data is read. Then, the data is converted into data directed to the host device 1, and the converted data is connected to the USB device.
The data is written into the transmission buffer 21b of the microcomputer 21. Thereafter, the USB microcomputer 21 converts the data stored in the transmission buffer 21b into data conforming to the USB standard,
The data is transmitted to the host device 1 via the B cable 4. That is, the control microcomputer 23 is
The communication between the host device 1 and the CD player 3 is relayed by controlling the SIO microcomputer 22 and performing data conversion (interface conversion).

Returning to FIG. 1, the CD (compact disk) player 3 performs a predetermined operation according to the data transmitted from the receiver 2 via the RS-232C cable 5. That is, the CD player 3 transmits the data from the host device 1 and relays the data according to the data relayed by the receiver 2.
For example, a CD is played.

The operation of the receiver 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG.
4 is a flowchart for explaining a data conversion process performed by a control microcomputer 23. This data conversion process is always executed while power is supplied to the receiver 2 and the control microcomputer 23 operates.

First, the control microcomputer 23
It is determined whether or not the B microcomputer 21 has received data (step S1). That is, the control microcomputer 2
3 determines whether or not the received data is stored in the reception buffer 21a of the USB microcomputer 21. When the control microcomputer 23 determines that there is no received data in the USB microcomputer 21, the process proceeds to step S4 described below.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the USB microcomputer 21 has received data, the control microcomputer 23
The data is read from the reception buffer 21a and converted (step S2). That is, the control microcomputer 23 converts the read data into data directed to the CD player 3. When the read data is data directed to itself (the receiver 2), the control microcomputer 23 performs a predetermined operation according to the data without performing data conversion.

The control microcomputer 23 writes the converted data in the transmission buffer 22b of the SIO microcomputer 22 (Step S3). Then, the SIO microcomputer 22
Transmits the data stored in the transmission buffer 22b to the RS-2
The data is transmitted to the CD player 3 via the RS-232C cable 5 as data conforming to the 32C standard.

Next, the control microcomputer 23 sets the SI
It is determined whether or not the O microcomputer 22 has received data (step S4). That is, the control microcomputer 2
3 judges whether or not the received data is stored in the reception buffer 22a of the SIO microcomputer 22. When the control microcomputer 23 determines that there is no received data in the SIO microcomputer 22, the process returns to the above-described step S1.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the SIO microcomputer 22 has the received data, the control microcomputer 23
The data is read from the reception buffer 22a and converted (step S5). That is, the control microcomputer 23 converts the read data into data directed to the host device 1.

The control microcomputer 23 writes the converted data into the transmission buffer 21b of the USB microcomputer 21 (step S6). And the USB microcomputer 21
Transmits the data stored in the transmission buffer 21b to the host device 1 via the USB cable 4 as data conforming to the USB standard. The control microcomputer 23
When data is written to the transmission buffer 21b, step S
The process returns to 1 and the processes of steps S1 to S6 are repeatedly executed.

In this manner, the control microcomputer 23 converts the data received by the USB microcomputer 21 and the SIO microcomputer 22 into data (interface conversion), and the USB microcomputer 21 and the SIO microcomputer 22
Is set as transmission data. That is, the communication between the host device 1 and the CD player 3 is relayed by the receiver 2. Therefore, the cable connection is simplified, and the appearance and the like are improved. Further, since the receiver 2 and the CD player 3 are connected only by the RS-232C cable 5, not only the system cable and the like are unnecessary, but also the user has a high degree of freedom when actually laying out (arranging). Become. In addition, by using a commercially available USB hub or the like between the host device 1 and the receiver 2, the length can be easily extended. Furthermore, since hot plug-in etc. are applied by USB interface,
Even when the CD player 3 or the like is connected and operated later, it is not necessary to turn on the power of the host device 1 again.

In the above embodiment, the case where one CD player 3 is connected to the receiver 2 via the RS-232C cable 5 has been described, but a plurality of external devices can be connected to the receiver 2. Good. Hereinafter, an audio apparatus (receiver) applied to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an audio system including a receiver applied to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the audio system includes a host device 1, a receiver 6, a C
It is composed of a D player 3 and an MD player 7. The receiver 6 and the host device 1 are connected via the USB cable 4, and the receiver 6 and the CD player 3 and the receiver 6 and the MD player 7 are connected to the RS-
It is connected via a 232C cable 5. The configurations of the host device 1 and the CD player 3 are the same as those of the above-described audio system shown in FIG. Also, MD
(Minidisc) The player 7 follows the data sent from the receiver 6 via the RS-232C cable 5
Perform a predetermined operation.

The receiver 6 is composed of, for example, an audio amplifier or the like, and has a USB interface and a plurality of RS-
232C interface. Specifically, the receiver 6 includes, as shown in FIG.
It is configured to include the IO microcomputer 61 and the control microcomputer 23. The configurations of the USB microcomputer 21 and the control microcomputer 23 are the same as those of the receiver 2 shown in FIG.

The SIO microcomputer 61 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
Data communication is performed with the player 7 according to the RS-232C standard. Also, the SIO microcomputer 61
In its own RAM, a reception buffer and a transmission buffer for the CD player 3 and a reception buffer and a transmission buffer for the MD player 7 are provided.

When the data sent from the host device 1 is stored in the reception buffer of the USB microcomputer 21, the control microcomputer 23 reads out the stored data, similarly to the receiver 2 shown in FIG. And
The read data is a CD player 3 or an MD player 7
Data to the CD player 3
Data is converted to data for
The data is written to the target transmission buffer of the IO microcomputer 61. After that, the SIO microcomputer 61 converts the data stored in the transmission buffer into data according to the RS-232C standard.
The data is transmitted to the CD player 3 or the like via the RS-232C cable 5.

On the other hand, the control microcomputer 23
When the data sent from the CD player 3 or the MD player 7 by the O microcomputer 61 is stored in the target receiving buffer, the stored data is read. Then, the data is converted into data intended for the host device 1, and the converted data is written to the transmission buffer of the USB microcomputer 21. Thereafter, the USB microcomputer 21 converts the data stored in the transmission buffer into data according to the USB standard.
The data is transmitted to the host device 1 via the USB cable 4. That is, the control microcomputer 23 controls the USB microcomputer 21 and the SIO microcomputer 61 and performs data conversion (interface conversion), thereby connecting the host device 1 with the C
The communication between the D player 3 and the communication between the host device 1 and the MD player 7 is relayed.

In the above embodiment, the USB microcomputer 2
Although the interface conversion has been performed by the SIO microcomputer 1 and the SIO microcomputers 22 and 61, the interface conversion may be performed by one USB microcomputer 21 by adding a function such as the SIO microcomputer 22 to the USB microcomputer 21.

In the above embodiment, each of the host device 1 and the receiver 2 has a USB interface,
USB cable 4 between host device 1 and receiver 2
Has been described, but the interfaces of the host device 1 and the receiver 2 are as follows.
It is optional without being limited to USB. For example, IEEE 139
4 and the like, and the host device 1 and the receiver 2 may be connected via an IEEE 1394 cable.

In the above embodiment, the receiver 2
And the CD player 3 have an RS-232C interface, and the receiver 2 and the CD player 3 have been connected via the RS-232C cable 5. However, the receiver 2 and the CD player 3 have been described. The interface provided by the third or the like is not limited to RS-232C and is optional. For example, a parallel interface such as Centronics may be used.
And the CD player 3 may be connected via a Centronics cable.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An external device having a specific interface that can be directly connected to the host device can be relayed by itself and connected to the host device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an audio system including a receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a receiver according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating data conversion processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an audio system including a receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a conventional audio system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host device 2, 6 Receiver 3 CD player 4 USB cable 5 RS-232C cable 7 MD player 21 USB microcomputer 22, 61 SIO microcomputer 23 Control microcomputer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first communication means for transmitting / receiving predetermined data to / from a host device connected via a first interface, and a predetermined data for transmitting / receiving predetermined data to / from an external device connected via a second interface. A second communication unit, which converts the data received by the first communication unit into an interface and supplies the data to the second communication unit as transmission data, and converts the data received by the second communication unit into an interface And an interface converting means for supplying the first communication means as transmission data to the first communication means. 2. A USB communication means for transmitting / receiving predetermined data to / from a host device connected via a USB interface, and a serial communication for transmitting / receiving predetermined data to / from at least one external device connected via an RS-232C interface. Communication means, and interface conversion of the data received by the USB communication means and supply to the serial communication means as data for transmission to a target external device, and data from the external device received by the serial communication means And an interface conversion means for converting the interface and supplying the data as transmission data to the USB communication means. 3. The data transmitted from a host device connected via a first interface is converted into data for a second interface, and the converted data is transmitted to an external device connected via a second interface. While transmitting the data to the device, the data transmitted from the external device via the second interface is converted into data for the first interface, and the converted data is transmitted to the host device via the first interface. An electronic device characterized by: 4. A first communication step of transmitting / receiving predetermined data to / from a host device connected via a first interface, and transmitting / receiving predetermined data to / from an external device connected via a second interface. A second communication step, and interface-converting the data received in the first communication step into transmission data in the second communication step, and converting the data received in the second communication step to An interface conversion step of converting the interface into transmission data in the first communication step.